Bridge the Generations with Family History

Get creative, spark an interest in family history and form connections that can last a lifetime

By Kelly Smith

When our first daughter was born we named her for one of my husband’s aunts, as well as for a figure from my own family. My Aunt Grace was considered uppity in her era, four generations ago; she lived alone, wore pants, had a massive collection of books, and was reportedly seen smoking cigarettes. Our own Anna Grace shares some (but not all!) Of these traits, and loves to hear the story of her namesake.

On a recent trip to Maine, three generations of our family traveled over the border into Canada to search for the remnants of the “Scotch Colony,” the original site where our ancestors settled when they arrived in North America from Scotland in the 1880s. The grandchildren were enthralled to hear the stories that had been passed down of life in the harsh conditions of the time. They felt a connection with the past.

Children typically are not interested in genealogy—the idea of spending hours poring over dry, boring documents can be tough for adults, much less an active 10-year-old. The key to sparking an interest in family history is to bring history to life. Create opportunities for children to see, hear, taste, and touch what life was like for the generations that came before. They may go on to become the family record keeper, or they might simply gain a better understanding of what it was like to live in the wilderness in the 18th century. Whatever the outcome, it will build a bridge between the generations.

Hazel Cole Kendle, 88, and her granddaughter- in-law Jennifer Liu Bryan, are co-authors of Cole Family Christmas, a heartwarming tale of family love (www.colefamily-christmas.com).

“It’s a myth that young people don’t want to hear the stories their grandparents can tell,” said Kendle. “Realize that family members often won’t ask for the first story, but once you start talking, they’ll be begging for more.”